Cooled storage container and cooler accessories

ABSTRACT

The present invention includes a storage container having side accessible drawers for the convenient access to contents therein. The storage container includes an inner shell and an outer shell, between which coolant may be placed. A freeze shelf may be placed into the container to aid in temperature control.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of short term storage and more specifically to the field of coolers.

BACKGROUND

Traditional coolers are usually single chamber devices where the ice (and/or ice packs) and objects comingle in that same chamber. Those cooler chambers are usually accessed solely from the top of the cooler.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to cold storage container and accessories therefor. The container includes two shells, an outer shell and an inner shell. The outer shell faces the exterior environment and is constructed of materials forming a strong thermal barrier to between the interior of the container and the exterior of the container. The inner shell may form a strong thermal barrier, or simply may be constructed of materials sufficient merely to support internal components. The outer shell and inner shell form a well cavity that is meant to be filled with a coolant. For purposes of the present invention, the term coolant is meant to be a medium capable of being frozen to radiate temperatures at, or approximately equal to, the freezing temperature of water (or lower). Coolant may include solids, such as ice (i.e., frozen water), or gels, such as diluted isopropyl alcohol. The well cavity can accept coolant pieces in order to maintain a cold temperature within the container interior.

The inner shell shields food items, or other items (e.g., transplant organs) from physical contact with the coolant in the well cavity. It is preferred that the inner shell form a complete barrier with respect to the well, i.e. top, bottom, side, etc.; except that it is preferred that the inner shell include perforations to allow fluid exchange between space within the inner shell (i.e., the storage cavity) and the well cavity. The present invention includes a primary surface on the outside shell that includes an aperture. This aperture allows a drawer, or other sliding component, access to the interior of the container. The preferred configuration is that the primary surface is directly adjacent to the storage cavity, and the drawer fitting within the aperture is entirely bounded by the inner shell.

The drawer slides in an out of the container, and in a preferred embodiment may be entirely removed. The preferred drawer includes retention bars along the side thereof that fit into grooves of the inner shell sidewalls. The drawer includes a base and a face surface, and it is preferred portions of the drawer not facing the exterior environment include perforations to permit fluid exchange with the remainder of the inner shell, other drawers, and the well cavity.

The present invention may include a ‘cold shelf’ adapted to releasably affix within the storage container or be a standalone device. The cold shelf includes a casing that retains a coolant medium and retention members that retain the cold shelf in position within the container. The preferred retention members include side-bars that fit into mating grooves within wall of the container in preferred embodiments of the present invention, the cold shelf fits vertically within the well cavity of the present invention, and in other embodiments the cold shelf fits horizontally within the inner shell of the present invention. A preferred embodiment of the freeze shelf includes at least one intermediate pliant zone that allows two freezable casing zones to be folded one upon the other to create an augmented casing body. The retention members can be bifurcated (or otherwise divided, including for more than two freezable casing zones) to form the final retention member upon folding. Thus, the present invention can include a kit for which the cold shelf is adapted to fit within a cooler specially fitted to retain the same.

These aspects of the invention are not meant to be exclusive. Furthermore, some features may apply to certain versions of the invention, but not others. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art when read in conjunction with the following description, and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front, plan view of the container of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the container of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a revealed, perspective view of the container of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the container of the present invention absent drawers and with the outer shell top wall removed.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the container of the present invention absent drawers and with the outer shell top wall removed.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the drawer of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the freeze shelf of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a partially exploded, perspective view of the container of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a partially exploded, perspective view of the container of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a partially exploded, perspective view of the container of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a top, plan view of the container of the present invention with the outer shell top wall removed.

FIG. 13 is a partially exploded, perspective view of the container of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a partial cutaway, perspective view of the container of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a partial cutaway, perspective view of the container of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first to FIGS. 1-7, a basic embodiment of the storage container 100 is shown. The storage container includes an outer shell, that is a preferred embodiment, includes a series of walls, topwall 112, sidewalls 114, base wall 118, etc. The shell, however, could be physically manifested in numerous shapes that need not be confined to traditional, discrete walls. For example, the outer shell could be designed as a three-dimensional oval that lacks any distinct wall. The outer shell 112, 114, 118, is manufactured of any material capable of generating an acceptable thermal barrier between the interior and exterior environments of the container. Examples of suitable materials include foam, plastic, steel, etc.

The preferred outer shell includes a top wall 112 preferably manufactured of an insulating material. The preferred outer shell includes a top wall 112 that pivotally opens via a hinge, or is completely removable because it is attached through a series of latches or a compression fit. A compression fit for purposes of this disclosure is a fit between two components whereby one component structurally deforms to achieve a fit, and then wherein the deformed component returns to its original shape. Alternatively, the top wall 112 may slide along a track at the apex of the shell sidewalls 116 to form an interference fit within to the track. An interference fit of the present invention includes a fit between two components whereby a first component is fitted within a second component such that the first component is physically prevented by the dimensions of the second component from separating from the second component in at least one dimension. An example of an interference fit includes a dovetail groove and protrusion configuration whereby the top wall slides horizontally into place upon the side walls.

The preferred outer shell sidewalls 116 include vertical walls constructed of a material similar to that of the outer shell top wall. The outer shell sidewalls 116 may in turn support inner shell sidewalls 126 forming an inner shell wholly bounded by the outer shell. Beneath the outer shell sidewalls 116, a base wall 118 forms the final sealing surface to seal the outer shell and container 100 from the external environment. The preferred base wall 118 is constructed of material similar to that of the outer shell top wall and outer shell side wall(s). The base wall 118 may include a flat outer surface that allows stable placement on an environmental surface, or include legs or other form of stand that permits elevation above an environmental surface.

The inner shell is composed of multiple inner shell walls 126, 122 that are bounded entirely by outer shell walls 112, 114, 116, 118. The outer shell includes at least one surface, hereinafter referred to as the primary surface 114, whereby there is an aperture 104 for the placement of a drawer 102. The drawer of the present invention allows selected access to the interior of the container 100 through the aperture. The primary surface 114 can be any of the surfaces of the wall of an outer shell, but preferably includes an outer shell sidewall 116 such that, in preferred embodiments, the drawer is inaccessible from vertical access and yet to nonetheless be available during conventional placement of the container in an environment. The primary surface 114 preferably forms a boundary of the inner shell as well as the outer shell; and this is also true of the base wall 118, which preferably forms the boundary of both the outer shell and the inner shell.

The space between the inner shell and the outer shell, or more specifically the inner shell sidewalls 126 and the outer shell sidewall 116 forms a well cavity 110. The purpose of the well cavity 110 is to accept coolant, commonly ice. Because the preferred inner cavity includes an inner shell top wall 122, the well cavity 110 can be filled with ice without concern that the ice might make its way into the bounds of the inner cavity, (hereinafter, the storage cavity 120). Ice can be poured into the well until the ice makes its way upon the inner shelf top wall 122, which in preferred embodiments is placed between 50% and 90% of the height of the outer shell sidewall 116. In other embodiments, the inner shell top wall 122 includes an inner shell cavity 124 dimensioned as an aperture that accepts and retains coolant/ice upon the inner shell top wall 126 irrespective of the fill level of the well cavity 110. It is preferred that when an inner shell cavity 124 is utilized that the cavity 124 includes one or more apertures that occupy between 80-95% of the inner shell top wall 122 space, and that the inner shell top wall 122 include perforations to permit fluid flow between the storage cavity 120 and the well cavity 110—although in certain embodiments the inner shell top wall perforation 128 apertures are positioned away from low points such that loose liquid fluids (e.g., melted ice), as opposed to gaseous fluids, settle in the low points while the gaseous fluids freely travel between the well 110 and the storage cavity 120.

The drawer(s) 102 of the present invention are placed within the aperture(s) 104 of the primary surface 114. The primary surface apertures 104 are sized to fit and accommodate to the drawers 102 of the present invention. The preferred embodiment of the present invention includes drawers 102 that have a face surface 132 that overlaps the primary surface 114 of the outer shell. As can be seen more clearly in FIG. 3, the aperture includes multiple layers such that planar surfaces of both the drawer 102 and the outer shell make contact and that, to the extent that gaseous fluid escapes, it must do so through a circuitous route. The primary surface can thus have multiple surface layers, in the depicted embodiment, a sunken layer contacts merely the back of the drawer's face surface 132; however, in other embodiments the sunken layer can span the top, sides, and bottom of the drawer face surface 132. The drawer 102 may include a closure mechanism 140. The depicted closure mechanism 140 comprises a sliding latch, however, any means for sealing the drawer 102 to the container 100 may be employed. As shown, again in FIG. 3, the latch may occupy one of two positions: a first position that elevates a lock bar, and a second position that retracts the lock bar such that it recedes into the drawer body.

The drawer 102 may include a drawer base 134 and drawer side walls 136 and a drawer top wall (not shown), when desirable. The drawer 102 is affixed to the inner shell side wall 126, and the preferred configuration of attachment is the use of retention members 138 that releasably attach to a groove/track 142 in the inner shell sidewall 126. The track 142, which in the present disclosure subsumes all forms of articles upon which an article can be reciprocatingly actuated, can include a protrusion shaped to fit within the groove of the inner shell sidewall 126. The preferred protrusion 138 and groove 142 of the present invention takes the form of a dovetail protrusion and dovetailed cross-section groove. Such an arrangement creates an interference fit that securely locks the drawer into the container and ensures that any removal or dislocation of the drawer is purposeful.

Turning now to FIG. 8, the present invention further includes an freeze shelf 150. The freeze shelf 150 may be a standalone device, part of the container of the present invention, or part of a kit that includes the freeze shelf and any container adapted to hold the same. The freeze shelf 150 includes a casing 152 that contains coolant. The casing may be rigid or pliable. A preferred version of the casing 152 is bifurcated into two or more frozen zones 154 with an intermediate pliable portion 156 that allows the casing zones to be folded parallel into an augmented casing orientation. The foldable freeze shelf of the present invention allows the shelf to be placed in a freezing environment in a configuration with dimensions that differ from that which the freeze shelf is intended to be used. In some instances, a greater surface area can be utilized for freezing the freeze shelf, while the surface area of the augmented freeze shelf can be smaller for extended durations. Alternatively, the freeze zones can be distinct portions capable of attachment for use, and separated for freezing purposes. The retention member in the freeze shelf can be likewise bifurcated such that half of the retention member 138 a can be placed on a first freeze zone 154 while the other half of the retention member 138 b can be placed on a second freeze zone 154. Such a retention member can span the casing 152 and separated at the point of the pliable zone.

The retention members of the present invention need not extend throughout the entirety of the casing, or even a majority thereof. Instead, merely the retention member need only have such physical structure as necessary to support the freeze shelf. In some cases, the retention members can include four or more nubs appropriate to affix to the track.

With reference to FIGS. 9-15, the present invention may include a container 100 that utilizes the freeze shelves 150 for maintaining appropriate temperatures within the container. As shown in FIGS. 9-10, the freeze shelf 150 includes retention members 138 similar in dimension and configuration with the retention members 138 of the drawers 102. The primary surface 114 may include groove tracks 142 positioned within the apertures 104 such that the freeze shelf 150 is positioned above the orientation of the drawer sidewalls, yet positioned such that closure of the drawer secures the freeze shelf in its working orientation. The preferred freeze shelf extends almost entirely across a dimension of the container, which may be across the near entirety of the width, across the near entirety of the height, etc. In instances wherein the body of the container is not rectangular, then the freeze shelf extends across an angle greater than 90 degrees of the container midline. When the freeze shelf is affixed to the inner shell sidewalls, then it is preferred that the shelf extend across the near entirety of the inner shelf width, height, or other. In the depicted embodiments, the freeze shelves 150 are placed to present a frozen ‘ceiling’ per drawer and drawer contents; however, in other embodiments the freeze shelf may be placed in contact, and/or near, the drawer base 134.

As can be seen in FIGS. 11-15, the freeze shelf can be vertically-placed into the well cavity 110 and utilize a rigid body construction. Retention members 138 are positioned on each side of the freeze shelf 150. Retention tracks 142 are manifested as grooves sized to accommodate the retention members 138. Retention members can be affixed to the side of the member that is spanning the distance in the well cavity, as shown in FIGS. 11-12, or affixed to the sides of the member other than sides that span the well cavity distance, as shown in FIGS. 12-13. In the depicted embodiments, the freeze shelves occupy a space approximately equivalent to the space provided in the well cavity 110; however, the well cavity 110 may be sized to permit both one or more freeze shelves 150 as well as ice. The preference depends on the use to which the embodiment may be put.

A freeze shelf may be placed anywhere within the present invention to achieve an advantage or purpose of the present invention. In certain embodiments a freeze shelf may be attached to the interior of a drawer having retention tracks 142 dimensioned to accept the retention members 138 of the freeze shelf 150. In other embodiments the freeze shelf is fabricated to have dimensions roughly equivalent to the bottom interior of a drawer such that the freeze shelf fits within the bottom of the drawer with little or no excess space between the shelf/drawer for lateral motion. In yet further embodiments of the present invention, the freeze shelf 150 is placed by its retention members 138 into a retention track 142 on a lower portion of the top wall 112.

Perforations (not shown) can be formed on any surface 122, 124, 126 of the inner shell. Preferred perforations take the dimensions of shapes that do not let commonly-sized ice cubes pass therethrough. Alternatively, cross-hatch style lines may be used.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions would be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A storage container comprising: a substantially-sealed container peripheral shell comprising a selectively removable topwall and a primary sidewall defining at least one sidewall aperture; a perforated inner shell, within said peripheral shell, defining a substantially sealed well cavity between said inner shell and at least two sidewalls of said and a substantially-sealed storage cavity between said inner shell and said primary sidewall, said perforations adapted to permit fluid exchange between said storage cavity and said well cavity; and a drawer, dimensioned to fit into said sidewall aperture, having at least a drawer base for the slidable storage of items sealingly contacting said peripheral shell.
 2. The container of claim 1 wherein said perforated inner shell includes an inner shell sidewall and an inner shell topwall.
 3. The container of claim 2 wherein said topwall includes a topwall cavity directed away from said storage cavity.
 4. The container of claim 1 wherein said inner wall perforations are placed at least 10% of the height above a floor of said outer shell.
 5. The container of claim 1 wherein said drawer includes a drawer face wall greater than said sidewall aperture corresponding to said drawer.
 6. An freezable storage accessory pack kit comprising: a casing comprising a freezable fluid medium having a length, width, and thickness, whereby at least one of said length and width is at least 5× greater than said thickness; a rigid retention bar, affixed to said length, spanning a substantial portion of said length; and a substantially sealed cooler comprising a wall, having a groove adapted to accept said retention bar.
 7. The kit of claim 6 wherein said casing includes a rigid casing along an entire length of said casing.
 8. The kit of claim 6 wherein said casing includes a pliable portion permitting said casing to be folding upon itself.
 9. The kit of claim 8 wherein said retention bar defines a bar void proximate to said pliable portion, and said retention bar is dimensioned to be folded upon itself to form a close fit with said groove.
 10. The kit of claim 9 wherein said retention bar is dimensioned to form an interference fit with said groove.
 11. The kit of claim 6 wherein said retention bar is dimensioned to form an interference fit with said groove.
 12. The kit of claim 6 wherein said cooler includes a groove parallel to a drawer track, and said casing includes a width approximately equal to, or greater than, said drawer width.
 13. The kit of claim 6 wherein said cooler includes a groove parallel to a cooler sidewall.
 14. A storage container comprising: a substantially-sealed container peripheral shell comprising a selectively removable topwall and a primary sidewall defining at least one sidewall aperture; an inner shell, within said peripheral shell, defining a substantially sealed well cavity between said inner shell and at least two sidewalls of said and a substantially-sealed storage cavity between said inner shell and said primary sidewall, said perforations adapted to permit fluid exchange between said storage cavity and said well cavity; a drawer, dimensioned to fit into said sidewall aperture, having at least a drawer base for the slidable storage of items sealingly contacting said peripheral shell; and a casing comprising a freezable fluid medium and a retention bar adapted to releasably affix to said peripheral shell.
 16. The storage container of claim 15 wherein said casing spans the approximate entirety of a dimension of said container.
 17. The storage container of claim 15 wherein said inner shell includes perforations.
 18. A storage container comprising: a substantially-sealed container peripheral shell comprising a selectively removable topwall and a primary sidewall defining at least one sidewall aperture; an inner shell, within said peripheral shell, defining a substantially sealed well cavity between said inner shell and at least two sidewalls of said and a substantially-sealed storage cavity between said inner shell and said primary sidewall, said perforations adapted to permit fluid exchange between said storage cavity and said well cavity; a drawer, dimensioned to fit into said sidewall aperture, having at least a drawer base for the slidable storage of items sealingly contacting said peripheral shell; and a casing comprising a freezable fluid medium; said casing comprising a retention bar adapted to releasably affix to said inner shell.
 19. The storage container of claim 18 wherein said casing releasably affixes between said inner shell and a portion of said drawer.
 20. The storage container of claim 18 wherein said casing includes a retention bar dimensioned to form an interference fit with said inner shell. 